People in Xumi: I am really not the Dragon King

Chapter 187 Lin Feng, who trusts gods more than humans

"It just so happens that these two friends of mine are both knowledgeable in their fields. I wonder if they can sit in on the lecture together?"

In the backyard of Bubu House, after Lin Feng's introduction, which was in some sense quite 'conservative',
Keqing couldn't help but focus her attention on the other two young men.

Because of the daily work needs,
While eating just now, she had already memorized everyone's names out of habit.

Apart from the guest official "Zhongli" of the Wangsheng Hall whom she had known before,

Keqing also learned that the bard from Mondstadt was named "Wendy".

What surprised her the most was that, unlike Bai Shu who was very respectful to the Xumi scholar Feng,
In her opinion, these three young people were actually communicating in a relatively equal capacity.

And considering the possible hidden identity of the Xumi scholar
Keqing, who originally thought that this was just an ordinary meeting, actually felt the pressure she felt when facing her teacher in school.

But thinking of the doubt that had troubled her for a long time, she finally responded:

"It's impossible."

"In fact, I'd be happy to see someone interested in my topic and offering some insights."

"——It's just that my topic may be a bit 'outrageous' to many people, and it's not easy to accept from a common point of view."

Having said this, Shi Keqing paused and subconsciously glanced at the young man with golden eyes standing in front of her right.

——It’s not that she hasn’t heard of this gentleman from “Wangsheng Hall”.

In fact, when she first took office, Keqing had already dealt with Mr. Zhongli without his knowledge.

At that time, she had just taken over Qixing, and because there was too much work, she planned to follow the usual practice and recruit some talents from the public to help with the work.

Mr. Zhongli, a guest official of the well-known "Wangsheng Hall" among the people, immediately caught her attention because of his talent.

Unfortunately, after a thorough investigation,

She finally gave up on recruiting this talented person to work for her.

——Just because this gentleman is as knowledgeable and talented as the rumors say, and is admirable,
But his way of thinking is still too much like the Emperor's.
Although he is very young, his views on various things are the same as those of the old teachers in the school.
While it places great emphasis on "tradition", it also exudes an inexplicable sense of decadence.
Therefore, in the following conversation, Keqing was very worried that the other party would not be able to accept her point of view.

When Zhongli saw the little girl in front of him looking at him, she seemed to be a little hesitant in her words.

After just a moment, he knew what the other party was worried about. Shaking his head, Zhongli pointed at himself and Wendy next to him and said:
".Miss Keqing, don't worry. Since we have already said that we are only here to listen, we will naturally not say much."

After a brief pause, he used his eyes to warn the bards who were eager to try, and then he continued:
"——The protagonist of today has been you and my friend since the beginning."

"You two are both rare young talents. Your communication with each other is very inspiring to ordinary people like me."

"——However, if Miss Keqing feels it is difficult to speak up, then my friend and I can leave first."

"."

Keqing was silent for a moment, then as if she had made up her mind, she raised her head, looked at the people in front of her, and said with a firm face:

"No need to worry, Mr. Zhongli, there is nothing to worry about."

"——If an idea cannot withstand the scrutiny of others, then it has no reason to exist in the first place.
Such an idea will not stand the test of time and will only be worthless fantasy. "

"I am very happy that you two are willing to listen to this conversation - to have someone evaluate my views from a different perspective.
Whether I agree or disagree, this was something I had always wanted but could not get.”

Maybe it was the first time that I expressed my thoughts openly in front of others.
This Yuhengxing, who was often known for his swift and decisive actions in the past, suddenly remembered something and showed a bit of the momentum of "burning the boats and crossing the river".

".This is really rare. Such determination and momentum are rarely seen in normal days."

"——I just don't know why Miss Yuhengxing would put aside her official duties and come to Bubulu to see me in person.

What exactly do you want to discuss by making such an unusual arrangement? "

Thinking of his official status and the two old men watching the fun beside him,

Lin Feng asked the question knowingly while trying to maintain his own personality as much as possible.

"I have a question for you this time. You can just call me Keqing."

The purple-haired girl shook her head, indicating that the other party didn't need to care about his superficial identity.

After a slight pause, she said:
"——There are actually only two things I want to ask."

"First, I hope you can explain to me your attitude towards such a transcendent existence as 'God'."

"Second, I hope you can answer me your opinion on the possibility of human beings governing a country on their own."

"——Your Excellency feels that this prosperity is entirely brought about by the gods and has nothing to do with human beings.
Is it really a good thing for the people of this land to indulge in it without thinking?"

"."

Under the watchful eyes of the "pure passerby" Zhongli and the "fun guy" Venti,
This purple-haired girl, with an attitude that could be described as "fearless," voiced her doubts in this country that had walked with God for more than 3,700 years.

Apart from the Emperor who can only be seen from afar during the Immortal Invitation Ceremony, and those immortals who have not communicated with the Seven Stars for hundreds of years,
The young man in front of her is the closest thing to "God" that Keqing can find.

Whether judging from the power the other party had shown or various clues, there was a high probability that the other party had personally come into contact with the two gods of Xumi.
Their own status, coupled with the special perspective of foreign visitors,

Keqing felt that the other party's opinion was absolutely valuable to her at the moment.

"."

Even though I had anticipated what kind of questions this Yuheng Star would ask,
But Lin Feng glanced at Emperor and Wendy beside him, and remained silent for a moment because of her stubbornness.

——In front of the three gods, questioning whether the existence of gods is good or bad, girl, even if you change your worldview, you will most likely not be able to walk out of this door.

Throwing out irrelevant thoughts from his mind, Lin Feng thought for a moment and said:
". Considering that this is just a 'discussion', I will not ask about the motivation behind your question, Ms. Keqing."

"——Since you think my opinion is of reference value, I will just tell you my personal opinion."

He paused and said:
"Your first question is about my attitude towards 'God'"

Recalling what I personally experienced after arriving in Teyvat, the difference between the species of gods and humans,
Lin Feng did not hesitate too much and gave his answer directly: "Although in my opinion, using a general term like 'god' to represent the individual is not very objective in fact."

"——But in general, for me, beings like gods are, in most cases, more reliable and trustworthy than humans."

"."

Noticing that the purple-haired girl in front of him seemed to have something to refute,

Lin Feng did not intend to have a debate with her, but directly said:
"I know this answer may be a little hard to understand, but as a pure pragmatist, I prefer to use facts to prove my own statement rather than some empty truths."

"——And this fact is actually the word 'interest'."

At this point, the young man pointed to the luxurious buildings on Yujing Terrace in the distance and asked Keqing in front of him:

"As the 'Yuheng Star' in charge of land construction, Miss Keqing should have some knowledge of who lives in that area, right?"

"——If my previous observation is correct, apart from a small number of properties belonging to merchants,

Most of them should have been bought by the senior managers of Seven Stars and Liyue."

". That's true.
——But even if it is the Seven Stars, these properties were purchased through formal channels and there is nothing illegal about them. Is there any deep meaning behind your mentioning them?"

Although she knew that about half of these properties belonged to the Seven Stars and the Chamber of Commerce behind them, Keqing did not immediately understand what Lin Feng meant.

".There is no deep meaning. As the administrators of Liyue, the Seven Stars deserve to gain wealth and status in addition to their own contributions. This is in line with the fair principle of the 'contract'."

Lin Feng looked at the exquisite dress Keqing was wearing in front of him, paused, and continued:
"Individual interests and national interests do not necessarily conflict with each other. So, even though I would not adopt such a system, I can understand Liyue's current choice."

Although Lin Feng found it difficult to accept this outrageous system that combined politics and business and involved family affiliations, he still expressed his respect.

"——But even the Seven Stars can gain their own interests in governing the country. Then, Miss Keqing, do you know what benefits the Emperor has gained from governing Liyue?"

"If there is any record of the Emperor asking for something from the people of Liyue, then Miss Keqing can bring it up directly."

"."

“The benefits of governing Liyue”

"Emperor, what did you ask for?"

After hearing the other party's question, Keqing was about to answer immediately, but found herself stuck.

——The people of Liyue have become accustomed to the Emperor’s guidance.

Over the past thousands of years, the existence of the Emperor has become a matter of course.
But what does the country mean to the gods?
What benefits could be brought by guiding the people? This was indeed beyond Keqing's thinking.

"Although there is a saying that gods need faith, the Emperor has never asked the people for any form of faith."

"And the benefits of governing a country, I'm sorry, I really can't think of it."

When Keqing said this, she had already realized what the boy in front of her wanted to express.

"I think Miss Keqing, who is so smart, has understood what I mean."

"——That's right, that's what I want to say. Even when Qixing acts, he will seek benefits for his own chamber of commerce or the family behind him.
How can ordinary humans guarantee that they can get rid of their own selfish desires?"

“——But God never had this problem from the beginning.

In my opinion, most gods never take their own gains and losses into consideration.

For hundreds and thousands of years, they have protected and led their country and people in a way that is almost ‘self-sacrificing’, simply out of faith.”

Having said that, Lin Feng paused, giving Keqing in front of him some time to think.

After making sure that the other party understood, he continued:

"The vast majority of human beings have their own interests and those of their loved ones to consider.

When making decisions, they will naturally be affected. Even if they can overcome this instinct, they will still have the possibility of falling into depravity. "

"On the other hand, let's take the Emperor as an example. For thousands of years, as the leader of Liyue, he has been giving his strength and time, but he has never asked for any compensation from his people.
In other words, the gods completely abandoned their own interests for the sake of their people, and chose to spend thousands of years on something that would bring them absolutely no benefit.”

"——Between the two, not only for me, but also for the people, which one is more trustworthy and more reassuring must be obvious at a glance."

"."

Keqing was silent. As a member of Yuheng Star, she naturally knew that the candidates for the Seven Stars were all mixed with more or less selfish desires, and their motives were not difficult to discover.

But if the object of investigation is changed to gods,

But she couldn't figure out what could be so valuable that she would be willing to spend thousands of years on it.

".I understand your attitude towards gods. If we analyze it from this perspective, then for the people, gods are indeed more trustworthy than humans."

Keqing, who is always pragmatic in handling government affairs, quickly understood the other party's way of thinking.

Although such an answer left many doubts in her heart, she still cheered up and said, thinking of the question she really wanted to know:
"What about the second question? What do you think of the possibility of rule by man?"

Although she had already had some ominous premonition from the answer to the first question, Keqing still asked reluctantly.

Then, this time, she didn't even have time to think, and she got a straightforward denial from the boy in front of her:

"In my opinion, the incomplete 'rule of man' with gods as a backup is not without its feasibility. It may even be a good attempt."

"——But if you want to live in a world with gods,

When facing the gods of other countries, they simply deny the existence of their own gods to emphasize the possibility of 'human beings'."

Lin Feng paused, looked at Keqing in front of him, and stated his final judgment in a very certain tone:
"——Then the only outcome for this 'human' nation is that it will be torn apart by a sudden crisis."

(End of this chapter)